“Haven’t you any idea what it is?”
“No, and I don’t care very much,” returned Tillie. “All I want to do is get away from this place. If you hear of a job anywhere will you let me know?”
“Of course,” promised Penny. “Mrs. Weems, our housekeeper, may know of a vacancy. If she does, I’ll telephone.”
“We haven’t a telephone. Mr. Fenestra had it taken out because the ringing of the bell made him jumpy. He said the neighbors always listened to his conversations, too. He’s very suspicious of everyone.”
“Then I can run out in the car,” said Penny. “I don’t blame you for not liking this place. I shouldn’t either.”
“Thanks for everything,” replied Tillie gratefully. “You’ve been awfully good to me. I must run back now or old Fenestra will ask me a million questions.”
Hastily saying good-bye, she darted away. Walking slowly toward the road, Penny and Louise discussed Peter Fenestra’s strange actions. They were inclined to agree with Tillie that he had hidden something of value beneath ground.
Across the road from the farmhouse a giant elm tree had been uprooted. They saw overturned chicken houses, fences laid flat, tangles of telephone and electric wires.
“Even more damage must have been done farther down the river,” remarked Penny anxiously. “I hope our new cottage hasn’t blown away.”
“Shall we go there and see?”